Oba of Benin Head Oil States Traditional Ruler Committee

The Oba of Benin has been nominated to Chairman the Committee of Traditional Rulers of Oil, Mineral Producing States (TROMPCOM) comprising Edo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Imo, Abia, Ondo, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

The Patron of TROMPCOM and Amanayabo of Brass in Bayelsa State, His Royal Highness, King Diete Spiff announced this when he paid Oba Ewuare II a courtesy visit in his Palace in Benin City.

He informed the Benin Monarch that the body was formed to address the problems posed by oil exploration and gas flaring in the area, in order to bring succour to the people of the oil producing states, whose environment has been devastated by it.

King Diete Spiff explained that the chairmanship of the body is rotational every two years, and that is now the turn of Edo State to chairman the body, hence he decided to come personally to plead with the Oba of Benin to honour them by accepting the chairmanship.

The Amanayabo of Brass said if the people of the oil producing states are impacted on positively, unemployment and youth restiveness in the area would be taken care of.

The Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II expressed gratitude to King Diete Spiff for the invitation extended to him to chairman the body, adding that he accepts to take the responsibility and prayed God and the ancestors to grant him the wisdom and good health to do his best to justify the confidence reposed in him.

His Royal Majesty however called for the utilization of the abundant gas resources instead of flaring it to cause environmental and health hazards for the people.

The Benin Monarch used the opportunity to welcome President Mohammadu
Buhari back home and thank God for his quick recovery.

Oba Ewuare II told his guest that he would soon embark on nation-wide thank you tour, beginning with a visit to President Buhari in Abuja, after which he hope to visit traditional rulers in the south-south and other parts of the country.

The Oba of Benin also received the Otaru of Igarra, His Royal Highness, Oba E. A. Saiki III, who was in the Palace to inform the Monarch about his 20th Coronation Anniversary coming up in October this year as well as the Aba Igarra Festival which is celebrated once in seven years.

The Otaru of Igarra invited His Royal Majesty to both events as special guest and royal father.

Oba Ewuare II expressed delight that both of them have something in common as they were coronated in the month of October.

The Oba of Benin assured that a high power delegation would be sent to represent the Palace, and wished him a successful anniversary celebration.


Ogiugo wielded charms against me - Oba Ewuare II

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II has said one Dr. Ogiugo was banished and humiliated from the kingdom for committing an abomination.

It would be recalled that a video on social media was widely speculated that a man was manhandled and out of the Palace of the Oba of Benin on Thursday 17th August, 2017.

In a statement by Desmond Agbama, the Chief Press Secretary, Oba Ewuare II said Ogiugo wielded charms to get favour in the case he was present at the palace for and was never a Chief.

According to monarch, “For the avoidance of doubt, the man in question is not a Chief in Benin Kingdom as has been ascribed to him.

“The man came to the Palace in company of those who had issues to resolve at the Palace, but he violated the norms of the Benin custom and traditions and was found carrying on his person abominable objects forbidden by Benin custom and tradition.

“At no time did the Oba order the man to be manhandled. The persons who escorted the man out of the Palace may have over-reached themselves in their efforts to protect the tradition and culture of the Benin people and the sanctity of the Palace.

“The Oba of Benin has ordered a full investigation into the incident”.